The New Jersey Senate is preparing to deliberate on a bill that could potentially alter the landscape of homeschooling in the state.
The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1796 (SB 1796), mandates that families who homeschool their children must register with their local governments. The bill, championed by State Senator Angela McKnight, a Democrat, also requires local governments to publish the data they collect from these families.
According to Breitbart, the bill stipulates that parents or guardians must "annually notify" their local school district in writing of their decision to homeschool their children. The notification must include the child's name, date of birth, grade level, and the name of the individual who will be responsible for the child's instruction.
SB 1796 further mandates that school districts "annually compile and make available for public inspection on its website information concerning the number of children who reside in the district who are being home-schooled" and their respective grade levels.
Critics of the bill have noted that it lacks provisions to safeguard the privacy of the children and families involved. It also fails to provide a legal definition for "homeschool," a term that currently lacks formal recognition in New Jersey law.
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), a staunch opponent of the bill, has warned its members of an impending legislative hearing on SB 1796 scheduled for June 5. The HSLDA has criticized the bill for creating "pointless and burdensome red tape" for homeschooling families in New Jersey. The association has urged its members to contact their state senators and voice their opposition to the bill.
New Jersey currently imposes "no real requirements" on families who opt to homeschool their children, making it one of the least regulated states for homeschooling in the country. This lack of regulation has fostered a flourishing environment of homeschool co-ops and other communities, according to Bridgeway Academy's website.
The New Jersey Department of Education's website outlines "two circumstances in which a parent/guardian of a child will be required to inform the local board of education of the intent to education his/her child elsewhere than at school."
These circumstances involve situations where a parent or guardian attempts to register a student in a local school district and is denied, or when a parent or guardian decides to withdraw an enrolled student from their high school educational program.
In 2017, McKnight, then serving as an assemblywoman, proposed legislation that would allow parents homeschooling their children to claim a tax credit for their out-of-pocket expenses related to homeschooling, as reported by NJ.com.
The proposed SB 1796 bill, if passed, could significantly impact the homeschooling community in New Jersey. It raises questions about the balance between government oversight and individual freedom, a cornerstone of conservative values.
As the debate unfolds, the homeschooling community and its supporters will undoubtedly continue to advocate for their rights and the preservation of their chosen educational path.
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